Research from Trinity Mirrror's data unit shows a 30 per cent rise from 56 in 2011/12 to 73 in 2013/14. It has increased from 34 to 42 in Bracknell Forest.

The number of unqualified teachers in Reading’s schools has gone up by almost one third.

According to information from Trinity Mirror’s data unit based on school workforce statistics from the Department for Education, there has been a 30 per cent rise in the number of unqualified teachers in Reading, from 56 in 2011/12 to 73 in 2013/14.

The statistics reveal nearly three-fifths (58.7 per cent) of staff at the University Technical College (UTC) are not qualified, in that they don’t have qualified teacher status (QTS).

UTC Reading, in Crescent Road, caters for students aged between 14 and 19 years old, covering Years Nine through to 13.

Principal Joanne Harper said: “At UTC Reading, all of our teaching staff are fully qualified to teach our students. All staff have a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, although a number of staff have a qualification in post-compulsory education and teach those over the age of 16.

“The report [school workforce statistics] is based on a schools census, and as UTCs sit between schools and FE [further education], it doesn’t show FE trained teachers.

“Given that UTC Reading is a 14-18 provision, we ensure the qualifications of our staff are matched to the courses we deliver, our engineering and computer science specialisms, our unique learning environment and work with industry.”

The then-Education Secretary Michael Gove loosened the rules on employing unqualified teachers in academies and free schools in 2012, allowing them to hire professionals such as scientists, engineers, musicians and linguists to teach, even if they did not have not have qualified teaching status (QTS).

Across the country, the number of unqualified teachers working in English schools is nine per cent higher than in 2011/12; up from 17,084 to 18,601.

“The apparent rise in numbers can be put down to the fact there are now 11 academy schools in Reading who – under current Department for Education guidance – can hire class teachers who are not qualified.”